The Hindu : Sport : Zaheer's charge wilts Bangladesh

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Sunday, May 27, 2007
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Zaheer's charge wilts Bangladesh

Vijay Lokapally

Dravid, Karthik and Tendulkar complete a 'first' in Test history

— PHOTO: AP

ONE WITH THE MASTER: Dinesh Karthik is elated after scoring his maiden Test century on a day when Sachin Tendulkar notched up his 37th.

DHAKA: Laborious batting by India gave Bangladesh bowlers a flattering image on the second day of the second Test here. Runs came at a pace that may have only gladdened the hearts of the die-hard purists but then it was not the best advertisement for Test cricket by any yardstick.

In reaching 610 for three declared, India may not have endeared itself to the spectators who had anticipated fireworks from some of the biggest names in contemporary cricket.

Only Mahendra Singh Dhoni provided that entertaining touch as the first four Indian batsmen scored a century for a `first' in Test cricket.

Dinesh Karthik, out with cramps on Friday evening, returned to complete his first Test century; Sachin Tendulkar, nine overnight, reached his 37th; Dhoni hit his third half-century. But the feat of the day was achieved collectively by Karthik, Tendulkar and Dravid, who completed his 24th Test century.

On seven occasions in the past, the first three batsmen had scored a century in the same innings in a Test and the closest a new record came to be written was in 1993 when Mark Taylor, Michael Slater and David Boon hit a century each against England at Lord's. The fourth man, Mark Waugh, got out at 99!

Shocking batting

Coming back to the current Test, the audience was in for a shock when Bangladesh batted and slumped to 58 for five. It could have been worse had not Shakil Al Hasan stuck it out against an attack that was clearly motivated.

India's batting, after resuming at 326 for no loss, flourished to put the team in a formidable position at the end of the second day as the bowlers took turns to embarrass Bangladesh.

Wickets fell in a heap and the placid nature of the pitch appeared an illusion when Bangladesh batted.

Zaheer Khan attained the ideal pace and length to rock the home team. His incisive spell swept an inexperienced batting line-up off its feet. It was hard to believe that it was the same pitch that had seen the bowlers struggling to make an impact.

Nervous start

Ishant Sharma began his Test career with a no-ball but did well to work up pace in only his seventh first-class match. If he was nervous, he has time to learn and improve.

He is only 18 and was making his debut. What a pity that Javed Omar, having seen his bowlers being pasted all over, succumbed to the first ball he faced, his footwork in an unpleasant tangle. It set the trend and the Bangladesh innings was in a mess in a span of a mere 15 balls.

Lethal deliveries

Zaheer, charged up and trying too hard at times, produced lethal deliveries to scalp Shahriar Nafees and Mohammad Ashraful while Rudra Pratap Singh packed off Habibul Bashar, who is having a dreadful run with the bat, not to speak of his captaincy.

The second day's play was marked by a sedate Tendulkar, bent on getting a century, certainly not at his best, but fiercely determined.

Dhoni did come up with a blistering performance that matched his reputation but it was the subdued Tendulkar who remained a subject of debate.

In reaching his 37th Test century Tendulkar also passed Sunil Gavaskar's record of most number of fifties (34 + 45).

It was a day for the statisticians really as India mounted a calculated assault after tea that saw Bangladesh wilt, and wilt on all fronts.

Puzzling display

However, the way India batted in the post lunch session was the most puzzling. Only 86 runs came in 25 overs during which two wickets fell. Tendulkar took his time to move from 80 to 90 against an attack that remained far from intimidating.

There was not a man within the wicket-keeper's shouting distance as Habibul Bashar sent all his men to guard the boundary. Even the wicket-keeper changed twice. Khaled Mashud, after grassing Dinesh Karthik, developed cramps and gave way to Rajin Saleh.

The substitiute wicketkeeper did well by snapping Sourav Ganguly but then left the stage for Shaqib Al Hasan, who lasted until India declared.

Bangladesh was defensive and understandably too.

The playing conditions had a role in slowing down the batsmen but not when Dhoni strode to the middle, slamming four sixes and three fours in his 50-ball show.

One of his sixes was a one-handed finish as he went ahead with the stroke to send it soaring over the straight-field.

Karthik's 129 lasted 212 balls (16 fours); Jaffer did not return to bat; Dravid faced 229 balls and hit 15 fours and a six; Sourav Ganguly was a notable failure and Tendulkar needed 226 balls for his unbeaten 122 (eight fours and one six).

For a generation that has grown watching Tendulkar dominate the bowlers, this knock must have fallen short of expectations. He may have had his reasons to explain such a concerted approach to hang on but he returned to a warm reception at the gate of the dressing room with V.R.V. Singh the first to pat him.

The medium-fast bowler would know the significance of performing in such taxing heat and humidity.

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